Seeking bids for silo project

ALGIERS, ALGERIA — Algeria's state-run grain trade authority is said to be seeking a European partner to build and operate the country's largest cereals storage house.

Office Algerien Interprofessionnel des Cereales (OAIC) is negotiating with Dutch, French and Belgian contractors to build a grain silo with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes at Djenjen port in the Jijel province, about 360 km (225 miles) east of Algiers.

OAIC is apparently willing to give up to 80 percent of the project's capital as a joint venture with a foreign partner.

Algeria produces 2.1 million tonnes of grains and has a grain storage capacity of 2.8 million tonnes. The country imports about 80% of its grain needs, importing about 3 million tonnes last year.